I. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates generally to computerized messaging services.
II. Background
[0002] To send a message to a recipient, the message must be addressed to the recipient
using the protocol of a particular communication or messaging system. For example,
a user might have to decide whether to send a particular message over email, or by
instant messaging services over Internet-connected computers, or by text entry on
a telephone using short message service (SMS), or by a similar telephone-enabled messaging
service known as multimedia messaging service (MMS), or by other messaging systems.
Each system, not surprisingly, has advantages and drawbacks, and not all intended
recipients access every system that a sender might use.
[0003] Thus, when deciding how to get a message to a recipient, a sender must think about
and balance a variety of considerations, including cost, recipient capabilities, recipient
presence and preferences, and so on. Then., the sender must start up or invoke the
selected messaging system and use it, a task made more difficult as technological
messaging innovations and capabilities outpace ease-of-use innovations. Having made
these critical observations, the invention described below is provided.
[0004] US patent number 6,463,462 discloses a message sending system in which a recipient profile may be established
that defines via which message service a recipient receives messages. Similarly,
US patent number 6,373926 provides a "centralised message service processor" which forwards a message to a
recipient via a number of message services in accordance with a stored recipient profile.
International patent application
WO 01/50680and
US patent application 2002/0116499 disclose equivalent schemes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Various aspects and features of the present invention are further defined in the
appended independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous embodiments.
[0006] The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can
best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Like reference
numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007]
Figure 1 is a block diagram of the present system;
Figure 2 is a flow chart of the overall logic;
Figure 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary non-limiting logic for selecting a messaging
system; and
Figure 4 is a flow chart showing optional logic for displaying various information.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0008] Referring initially to Figure 1, a system is shown, generally designated 10, which
includes a sender user computer 12 that can execute logic in a module 14 in accordance
with the present invention.
[0009] Thus, in the preferred non-limiting embodiment shown, the computers described herein
may access one or more software or hardware elements to undertake the present logic.
The flow charts herein illustrate the structure of the logic modules of the present
invention as embodied in computer program software, in logic flow chart format, it
being understood that the logic could also be represented using a state diagram or
other convention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the flow charts illustrate
the structures of logic elements, such as computer program code elements or electronic
logic circuits, that function according to this invention. Manifestly, the invention
is practiced in its essential embodiment by a machine component that renders the logic
elements in a form that instructs a digital processing apparatus (that is, a computer
or microprocessor) to perform a sequence of function steps corresponding to those
shown. Internal logic could be as simple as a state machine.
[0010] In other words, the present logic may be established as a computer program that is
executed by a processor within, e.g., the present computers/servers as a series of
computer-executable instructions. In addition to residing on hard disk drives, these
instructions may reside, for example, in RAM of the appropriate computer, or the instructions
may be stored on magnetic tape, electronic read-only memory, or other appropriate
data storage device.
[0011] A text input device 16 such as a keyboard or keypad can be manipulated by a user
to type information into the sender computer 12. Also, if desired a voice input device
such as but not limited a microphone associated with voice recognition software can
be used to input information into the sender computer 12. Furthermore, multimedia
data can be input into the sender computer 12 from a source or device 20 of multimedia.
One or more output devices, such as a monitor 22 or audible speakers, can be used
to display data, including the below-described message input form, to the user of
the sender computer 12.
[0012] Owing to the below-described logic, the sender computer 12 may but need not have
any commercial messaging engines, such as email programs, instant messaging programs,
and the like. Instead, it need only communicate with a dispatch server 24 using a
generic, common, single message file described further below, consequently permitting
the use of a thin client computer as the sender computer 12. Or, the sender computer
12 need have only one commercial messaging application which can be invoked by the
user without concern for the type of message or transport. Regardless of whether it
is a commercial messaging engine or not, once the single-unified messaging user interface
described below is invoked, the user may create a message without concern about how
to send it, because the dispatch server 24 can check such things as the message content
(send to address, text only, or include multi media data), receiver's presence, availability,
and so on and then send the message using the "best" or most appropriate messaging
engine.
[0013] The dispatch server 24 can be a Web server and the communication with the sender
computer 12 can be over the Internet. The dispatch server 24 may access a logic module
26 for executing the logic below. Recipient presence information can be received from
a presence database 28 over the Internet if desired. Among other things the presence
data can include contact data such as what messaging systems the system recipients
possess, which ones happen to be active, which systems a recipient might prefer to
receive messages on, and so on. Also, the dispatch server 24 can access a single profile
associated with the user of the sender computer 12, to manage multiple messaging accounts
associated with the respective messaging engines discussed below.
[0014] As shown, the dispatch server 24 can access plural messaging engines, including an
email engine 30, an SMS engine 32, an MMS engine 34, and an IM engine 36. Other engines
can be included. Using a server-determined one of the messaging engines 30-36, messages
from the sender computer 12 are transmitted to one or more recipient computers 38.
[0015] It is to be understood that when a messaging engine is selected by the server 24,
the server 24 causes the engine to construct a message in the particular format of
the messaging service represented by the engine. Thus, the server 24 can also send
to the selected engine authentication information pertaining to the user of the sender
computer 12, public passwords of the user of the sender computer 12, digital signatures
of the user of the sender computer 12, and so on as might be required for desired
features, e.g., encryption and the like, using the particular messaging service selected.
[0016] Now referring to Figure 2, details of the present invention can be seen. Commencing
at block 40, a single message interface is presented that is generic in that it can
be used by a user to input at least a message and a recipient's identification, such
as a name or user name, and optionally a preferred messaging service for delivery,
to one of plural messaging engines as discussed further below. The interface can include
a message input file that is made available to the user and that can be presented
as, e.g., a simple two-field (recipient ID and message body) form on the screen of
the monitor 20 or that can be presented aurally using audible prompts as set forth
in the priority document.
[0017] At block 42, the user inputs at least a message and an intended recipient into the
message input file made available at block 40. The file is sent to the dispatch server
24 at block 44, and at block 46, the dispatch server 24 determines which one of the
plural messaging engines 30-36 shown in Figure 1 is to be used. The message in the
input file is reformatted or otherwise reconfigured at block 48 as appropriate for
the particular messaging engine selected at block 46, and then transmitted, using
the selected messaging engine, to the recipient computer 38 at block 50.
[0018] Figure 3 shows one non-limiting method the dispatch server 24 can use to execute
the selection at block 46 in Figure 2. Commencing at decision diamond 52, the server
24 may determine whether the user of the sender computer 12 has selected a particular
messaging system, and if so, the logic can flow to block 54 to use the system selected
by the user. If no system has been selected, the logic can flow to decision diamond
56, wherein the dispatch server accesses the user presence database shown in Figure
1 to identify the messaging services the recipient computer currently has active,
and/or to determine which messaging service might be indicated by the recipient computer
as being preferred. If a service has been designated as being preferred or is the
only one available, that service is selected at block 58.
[0019] Moreover, the recipient user might indicate a profile that could be sent to the presence
database shown in Figure 1 and to which heuristic rules could be applied to find the
"best" service. By way of non-limiting example, if the recipient user indicates he
is in a meeting, a first messaging service, e.g., email, might be used, whereas if
the recipient user indicates he is actively at work, a second service such as IM may
be selected. And, a service can be selected based on the type or content of the message.
For example, if the message includes multimedia, the MMS engine 34 can be selected.
In the absence of any information such as that discussed above, a default service,
e.g., email, may be invoked at block 60.
[0020] It may now be appreciated that the system of the present invention improves a user's
messaging experience by removing an otherwise complicated messaging technology wall,
making possible the use of lightweight client sender computers that are easily portable
to many different operating systems. More specifically, the present invention transfers,
from the sender computer 12 to the dispatch server 24, authentication, roster, presence,
agents, transports, gateway, and trans-coding burdens, thus removing requirements
for large amounts of processor capability and data storage in the sender computer
12. If switching is required between disparate networks that might be associated with
respective messaging services, the switching is done by the server 24, transparently
to the user of the sender computer 12. For example, from one message to the next from
the sender computer 12, the server 24 can seamlessly switch between a Wireless Fidelity
(802.11b) (Wi-Fi) network that might be used for one type of messaging service and
a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network that might be used for another type
of service. Moreover, well accepted applications such as Microsoft Outlook® email
can be integrated into the system 10. Multiple user identities, each associated with
a particular messaging service, can be managed by the server 24 through use of a single
profile (mobile phone, office phone, fax, SMS, e-Mail addresses, IM, pager, device
addresses, etc.), and this profile can be shared, if desired by the user, with other
users in the system 10.
[0021] Figure 4 shows options that can be included in the system 10. At block 62, the server
24 may access the presence database 28 shown in Figure 1 to send data to the sender
computer 12 pertaining to the presence and/or profile and/or availability status of
the recipient computer or computers 38, for display thereof on the monitor 22 of the
sender computer 12. Also, at block 64 the messaging capabilities of the recipient
computer 38 may be displayed on the monitor 22. The displayed capabilities can include
indications of whether the recipient computer 38 is turned on, whether it is currently
accepting phone calls, etc. The displayed capabilities can include indications of
whether the recipient computer 38 can support various messaging services. Also, if
desired at block 66 the messaging preferences of the user of the recipient computer
38, if available in the presence database or otherwise available to the server 24,
can be sent to the sender computer 12 for display.
[0022] Still further, at block 68 custom logos of the user of the sender computer 12 may
be made available to the server 24 for sending the logos for display to the recipient
computer 38. Also, as another option, at block 70 the server 24 might determine the
profile status of the user of the recipient computer 38, both for selecting a messaging
engine as discussed above and for display of the status on the monitor of the sender
computer 12. This can be based on, e.g., time of day, whether the user is in a meeting
as indicated by a message the user might send to the dispatch server 24, whether the
recipient computer 38 is energized, whether the user is in the user's office (and,
hence, is expected to be available by phone), and so on. Likewise, if permitted by
the user of the sender computer 12, similar information pertaining to the sending
user can be sent to the server 24 for transmission of preselected information, if
desired only to preselected recipient computers 38 at block 72. For example, the sender
computer 12 can cause the server 24 to disclose an "in office" condition only to recipient
computers 38 associated with co-workers and family members of the user of the sender
computer 12. Likewise, whether the user of the sender computer 12 is at home might
be disclosed only to recipient computers 38 associated with family members of the
user of the sender computer 12, or the user of the sender computer can elect not to
disclose any such information at all. The server 24 might also automatically respond
to missed calls in either direction at block 74 based on the caller's presence/availability
etc.
[0023] While the particular SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATING MULTIPLE MESSAGING SYSTEMS
as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described
objects of the invention, it is to be understood that it is the presently preferred
embodiment of the present invention and is thus representative of the subject matter
which is broadly contemplated by the present invention, that the scope of the present
invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled
in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited
by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the
singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless explicitly so stated, but
rather "one or more". It is not necessary for a device or method to address each and
every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed
by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present
disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element,
component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. Absent express definitions
herein, claim terms are to be given all ordinary and accustomed meanings that are
not irreconcilable with the present specification and file history.
1. A communication system (10), comprising:
at least a sender computer (12);
at least a recipient computer (38); the sender computer (12) comprising means (14)
adapted to input a message input file, the message input file being a generic file
which can be associated with any of a plurality of types of messaging engines, a user
of the sender computer (12) being enabled to enter at least a recipient's identification
and a message into the message input file; and
at least one dispatch server (24) adapted to communicate over the internet with the
sender computer (12), with the recipient computer (38) associated with the recipient's
identification and with a presence database (28) operable to communicate with the
recipient computer (38) so as to identify and communicate to the dispatch server computer
(24) which of a plurality of messaging services the recipient computer (38) currently
has active, the dispatch server computer (24) being adapted to:
receive (42) the input file from the sender computer (12);
determine (44), in accordance with which of the plurality of messaging services the
recipient computer (38) currently has active, which messaging engine (30, 32, 34,
36) to use from a plurality of messaging engines available to the dispatch server
computer (24); and
send (50) the message to the recipient computer (38) using the messaging engine identified
during the determining act.
2. The system of Claim 1, wherein the message input file is presented to a user of the
sender computer (12) as a visible form for typed data entry.
3. The system of Claim 1, wherein the message input file is made accessible to a user
of the sender computer (12) for audible data entry.
4. The system of Claim 1, wherein the sender computer (12) is a light client having no
messaging engines.
5. The system of Claim 1, wherein the determining act at least in part is based on recipient
information.
6. A method for enabling a sender computer (12) to send a message to a recipient computer
(38) using a message file, the message file being a generic file which can be associated
with any one of at least two messaging systems, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving user-entered messaging information in the message file, the messaging information
comprising at least a recipient's identification and a message;
sending the file to a dispatch server computer (24) having access to plural messaging
systems (30, 32, 34, 36);
identifying via a presence database (28), which of a plurality of messaging services
the recipient computer (38) currently has active and communicating to the dispatch
server computer (24) which of a plurality of messaging services the recipient computer
(38) currently has active;
determining, at the dispatch server computer, in accordance with which of the plurality
of messaging services the recipient computer (38) currently has active, which one
of the messaging systems (30, 32, 34, 36) to use to deliver the message; and
sending the message file to the recipient computer (38) using the identified messaging
system.
7. A dispatch server computer (24) for operation in the system according to Claim 1,
the dispatch server computer (24) adapted to be accessible from at least one sender
computer (12) and at least one recipient computer (38) over the Internet, the dispatch
server computer (24) comprising:
means for receiving a message from the sender computer (12), the message being a generic
file which can be associated with any of a plurality of message services;
means for receiving, from a presence database (28), indication of which of a plurality
of messaging services the recipient computer (38) currently has active;
means for selecting (26/44) one of plural messaging engines according to the indication
of which of a plurality of messaging services the recipient computer (38) currently
has active; and
means for formatting (48) the message from the sender computer (12) as appropriate
for use with the messaging engine selected by the means for selecting, and
means for transmitting the formatted message to the recipient computer (38) using
the messaging engine selected by the means for selecting one of plural messaging engines.
1. Kommunikationssystem (10), das Folgendes umfasst:
mindestens einen Sendecomputer (12);
mindestens einen Empfangscomputer (38); wobei der Sendecomputer (12) ein Mittel (14)
umfasst, das angepasst ist, eine Nachrichteneingabedatei einzugeben, wobei die Nachrichteneingabedatei
eine allgemeine Datei ist, die mit jedem einer Vielzahl von Typen von Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschinen
verknüpft werden kann, wobei es einem Benutzer des Sendecomputers (12) möglich ist,
mindestens eine Identifikation eines Empfängers und eine Nachricht in die Nachrichteneingabedatei
einzufügen; und
mindestens einen Versandserver (24), der angepasst ist, mit dem Sendecomputer (12),
mit dem Empfangscomputer (38), der mit der Identifikation des Empfängers verknüpft
ist, und mit einer Präsenzdatenbank (28) über das Internet zu kommunizieren, die betreibbar
ist, um mit dem Empfangscomputer (38) zu kommunizieren, um zu identifizieren, welcher
einer Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsdiensten des Empfangscomputers (38) derzeit
aktiv ist, und dies dem Versandservercomputer (24) zu kommunizieren, wobei der Versandservercomputer
(24) zu Folgendem angepasst ist:
Empfangen (42) der Eingabedatei vom Sendecomputer (12); Bestimmen (44) gemäß dem,
welcher der Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsdiensten auf dem Empfangscomputer
(38) derzeit aktiv ist, welche Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschine (30, 32, 34, 36) der
Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschinen, die dem Versandservercomputer (24)
verfügbar sind, zu verwenden ist; und
Senden (50) der Nachricht unter Verwendung der Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschine, die
während des Bestimmungsvorgangs identifiziert wurde, an den Empfangscomputer (38).
2. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Nachrichteneingabedatei einem Benutzer des Sendecomputers
(12) als eine sichtbare Form für eine geschriebene Dateneinfügung präsentiert wird.
3. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Nachrichteneingabedatei für einen Benutzer des Sendecomputers
(12) für eine hörbare Dateneinfügung zugänglich gemacht wird.
4. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Sendecomputer (12) ein leichter Client ist, der
keine Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschinen aufweist.
5. System nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Bestimmungsvorgang mindestens teilweise auf Empfängerinformationen
basiert.
6. Verfahren zum Ermöglichen, dass ein Sendecomputer (12) eine Nachricht unter Verwendung
einer Nachrichtendatei an einen Empfangscomputer (38) sendet, wobei die Nachrichtendatei
eine allgemeine Datei ist, die mit einem beliebigen von mindestens zwei Nachrichtenübermittlungssystemen
verknüpft werden kann, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
Empfangen von von einem Benutzer eingefügten Nachrichtenübermittlungsinformationen
in der Nachrichtendatei, wobei die Nachrichtenübermittlungsinformationen mindestens
eine Identifikation eines Empfängers und eine Nachricht enthalten;
Senden der Datei an einen Versandservercomputer (24), der zu einer Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungssystemen
(30, 32, 34, 36) Zugang hat;
Identifizieren via eine Präsenzdatenbank (28), welcher einer Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsdiensten
auf dem Empfangscomputer (38) derzeit aktiv ist, und Kommunizieren an den Versandservercomputer
(24), welcher der Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsdiensten auf dem Empfangscomputer
(38) derzeit aktiv ist;
Bestimmen am Versandservercomputer gemäß dem, welcher der Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsdiensten
auf dem Empfangscomputer (38) derzeit aktiv ist, welches der Nachrichtenübermittlungssysteme
(30, 32, 34, 36) zu verwenden ist, um die Nachricht zu liefern; und
Senden der Nachrichtendatei unter Verwendung des identifizierten identifizierten Nachrichtenübermittlungssystems
an den Empfangscomputer (38) .
7. Versandservercomputer (24) für einen Betrieb im System nach Anspruch 1, wobei der
Versandservercomputer (24) angepasst ist, für mindestens einen Sendecomputer (12)
und mindestens einen Empfangscomputer (38) über das Internet zugänglich zu sein, wobei
der Versandservercomputer (24) Folgendes umfasst:
ein Mittel zum Empfangen einer Nachricht vom Sendecomputer (12), wobei die Nachricht
eine allgemeine Datei ist, die mit jedem einer Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsdiensten
verknüpft werden kann;
ein Mittel zum Empfangen von einer Präsenzdatenbank (28) einer Anzeige dazu, welcher
einer Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsdiensten auf dem Empfangscomputer (38)
derzeit aktiv ist;
ein Mittel zum Auswählen (26/44) einer von mehreren Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschinen
gemäß der Anzeige, welcher einer Vielzahl von Nachrichtenübermittlungsdiensten auf
dem Empfangscomputer (38) derzeit aktiv ist; und
ein Mittel zum Formatieren (48) der Nachricht am Sendecomputer (12) als für die Verwendung
mit der Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschine, die von dem Mittel zum Auswählen ausgewählt
wurde, angemessen und
ein Mittel zum Übertragen der formatierten Nachricht unter Verwendung der Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschine,
die von dem Mittel zum Auswählen einer von mehreren Nachrichtenübermittlungsmaschinen
ausgewählt wurde, zum Empfangscomputer (38).
1. Système de communication (10), comprenant :
au moins un ordinateur expéditeur (12) ;
au moins un ordinateur destinataire (38) ; l'ordinateur expéditeur (12) comprenant
des moyens (14) conçus pour entrer un fichier d'entrée de message, le fichier d'entrée
de message étant un fichier générique qui peut être associé à un type quelconque d'une
pluralité de types de moteurs de messagerie, un utilisateur de l'ordinateur expéditeur
(12) étant activé pour entrer au moins une identification de destinataire et un message
dans le fichier d'entrée de message ; et
au moins un serveur de répartition (24) conçu pour communiquer par Internet avec l'ordinateur
expéditeur (12), avec l'ordinateur destinataire (38) associé à l'identification du
destinataire et avec une base de données de présence (28) exploitable pour communiquer
avec l'ordinateur destinataire (38) de façon à identifier et communiquer à l'ordinateur
serveur de répartition (24) le service d'une pluralité de services de messagerie que
l'ordinateur destinataire (38) a actuellement d'actif, l'ordinateur serveur de répartition
(24) étant conçu pour :
recevoir (42) le fichier d'entrée en provenance de l'ordinateur expéditeur (12) ;
déterminer (44), conformément au service de la pluralité de services de messagerie
que l'ordinateur destinataire (38) a d'actif, quel moteur de messagerie (30, 32, 34,
36) utiliser parmi une pluralité de moteurs de messagerie disponibles pour l'ordinateur
serveur de répartition (24) ; et
envoyer (50) le message à l'ordinateur destinataire (38) à l'aide du moteur de messagerie
identifié pendant l'acte de détermination.
2. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le fichier d'entrée de message est présenté
à un utilisateur de l'ordinateur expéditeur (12) sous une forme visible pour une entrée
de données saisie.
3. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le fichier d'entrée de message est rendu
accessible par un utilisateur de l'ordinateur expéditeur (12) pour une entrée de données
sonore.
4. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'ordinateur expéditeur (12) est un
client léger n'ayant pas de moteurs de messagerie.
5. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'acte de détermination est basé au
moins en partie sur des informations de destinataire.
6. Procédé permettant d'activer un ordinateur expéditeur (12) pour qu'il envoie un message
à un ordinateur destinataire (38) à l'aide d'un fichier de message, le fichier de
message étant un fichier générique qui peut être associé à un quelconque parmi au
moins deux systèmes de messagerie, le procédé comprenant les étapes consistant à :
recevoir des informations de messagerie entrées par l'utilisateur dans le fichier
de message, les informations de messagerie comprenant au moins une identification
de destinataire et un message ;
envoyer le fichier à un ordinateur serveur de répartition (24) ayant accès à plusieurs
systèmes de messagerie (30, 32, 34, 36) ;
identifier par l'intermédiaire d'une base de données de présence (28), le service
d'une pluralité de services de messagerie que l'ordinateur destinataire (38) a actuellement
d'actif et communiquer à l'ordinateur serveur de répartition (24) le service d'une
pluralité de services de messagerie que l'ordinateur destinataire (38) a actuellement
d'actif ;
déterminer, au niveau de l'ordinateur serveur de répartition, en conformité avec le
service d'une pluralité de services de messagerie que l'ordinateur destinataire (38)
a actuellement d'actif, lequel des systèmes de messagerie (30, 32, 34, 36) utiliser
pour distribuer le message ; et
envoyer le fichier de message à l'ordinateur destinataire (38) à l'aide du système
de messagerie identifié identifié.
7. Ordinateur serveur de répartition (24) pour un fonctionnement dans le système selon
la revendication 1, l'ordinateur serveur de répartition (24) étant conçu pour être
accessible depuis au moins un ordinateur expéditeur (12) et au moins un ordinateur
destinataire (38) sur Internet, l'ordinateur serveur de répartition (24) comprenant
:
des moyens pour recevoir un message en provenance de l'ordinateur expéditeur (12),
le message étant un fichier générique qui peut être associé à un service quelconque
d'une pluralité de services de messages ;
des moyens pour recevoir, en provenance d'une base de données de présence (28), une
indication du service d'une pluralité de services de messagerie que l'ordinateur destinataire
(38) a actuellement d'actif ;
des moyens pour sélectionner (26/44) un moteur parmi plusieurs moteurs de messagerie
en fonction de l'indication du service d'une pluralité de services de messagerie que
l'ordinateur destinataire (38) a actuellement d'actif ; et
des moyens pour formater (48) le message provenant de l'ordinateur expéditeur (12)
comme étant approprié pour une utilisation avec le moteur de messagerie sélectionné
par les moyens de sélection, et
des moyens pour transmettre le message formaté à l'ordinateur destinataire (38) à
l'aide du moteur de messagerie sélectionné par les moyens permettant de sélectionner
un moteur parmi plusieurs moteurs de messagerie.